Page 33 of Pages of Amber
“By two minutes.” Evelyn stepped up to them, pushing her brother back with a nudge to his chest.
“Still counts. Biology says the swimmer who hit the egg first is the winner. I won fair and square.”
“It’s different for twins, dummy. We’re the same split egg.”
“No, it’s not. It’s different eggs in the same womb. Tell her Amber.”
Noah saved her from responding. “Don’t let these two turn you into a yes man.” He threw them a glare and turned to scrubbing his plate at the sink. “Quit bothering her.”
Amber’s cheeks flared when Evelyn and Emmett let out resounding ‘ooohs.’ Noah rinsed his hands, looking ready to tell them off but was distracted by Evelyn pulling Amber off the stool. “Thanks for the cookies, Mrs. R. We’ll be upstairs where we can’t bother you anymore.”
Noah’s mom laughed after them, “Have fun, kids.”
Led by the twins, Amber took the first step to the staircase. She paused for a moment as Noah, clutching paper plates and water bottles in his hand, stopped to kiss his mom on her cheek and speak to her in a low voice.
“Amber, you coming?”
She turned away, melted goo in her chest where her heart once was. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“We usually hang out in Ronan’s room,” Evelyn told her when she reached the landing. “That’s Noah’s brother. His room sits empty since he’s off to college, but he has a huge TV in there we like to use. Come on, let’s choose a movie before the boys do.”
Amber giggled at the urgency in her friend’s voice. Emmett, who was a step behind them said, “Sorry ladies. The ‘boys’ have chosen tonight’s movie.”
“We’ll see about that.” Evelyn stuck out her tongue. Towards the left, she pulled open a door. The room they entered was spacious, painted a light grey and had a bed, desk and chair off to one end. Two closed doors to the side probably led to a closet and ensuite. She followed Evelyn deeper into the room where a large TV was hung up and encircled by a two seater couch, bean bags and a rectangular mini coffee table. A little rack against the wall held a display for movies and games.
Evelyn snatched up the remote and flopped onto the couch, patting the space beside her for Amber. They were scrolling through Netflix selections and arguing movie titles with Emmett when Noah walked in. He looked over them, unfazed by the squabble. His eyes lingered on Amber as he walked over, dropping the paper plates and water bottles beside the pizza boxes on the table.
“What are they arguing about now?” He settled into one of the bean bags next to the couch.
Amber shrugged. “Evelyn wants to watch a rom-com that was recently released but Emmett said you already chose a scary movie.”
“And you? What’s your choice?”
“I-I’m not a huge fan of horror movies.”
“We’re watching our movie. Evelyn got to pick last time and it was a horrible decision.”
“That wasn’t last time! It was two months ago!”
“We don’t want to be stuck with another sappy movie.”
“A little romance won’t kill you.”
“Blah, blah, blah. I’m not listening.”
“Don’t be unfair. Amber and I should get to pick.”
“Let them pick.”
Noah broke into the argument. He folded his arms over his chest, his hair somehow more tussled than when they had been downstairs. It fit him, like this was the real Noah in pants and a loose shirt, not the surly student body president everyone knew at school.
“Dude.” The single word of protest was painted with disbelief.
Noah shrugged. “Eve’s right. Amber is our guest. We should let them pick. She invited Amber so they could tag team against us. Let them have this one.”
Emmett sighed and reluctantly handed the remote back to his sister. It seemed his competitiveness wasn’t restricted to playing on the football field. When she reached for it, he moved it away for a moment. “It better be a good one or we’ll change it.”
Evelyn grabbed at the controls, victory clear on her face. She winked at Amber. “Looks like you have some magic of your own. Up top, girl.”
